Plano South | October 2024

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Plano South Edition VOLUME 11, ISSUE 2 OCT. 17NOV. 15, 2024 A N

2024 Voter Guide

Laying the groundwork

Courtyard and street improvements are expected to lay the foundation for a future hotel project at the Plano Event Center, which is located at the intersection of Jupiter Road and East Spring Creek Parkway.

COURTESY SKY EYES

Street, courtyard projects prepare Plano Event Center for hotel, future retail

in 2018 and outlines strategies to enhance the 730 acres in northeast Plano. “We’re really excited about the possibilities of adding many more clients to the convention space,” Mayor John Muns said. “We’re hopeful that that’s going to add to the success of the event center.”

restaurant uses, Plano Event Center Venue Manager Mark Jarrell said. “[The site is] going to look a lot more attractive to a developer than just a big piece of land that [has] nothing,” Jarrell said. The updated event center is part of the city’s larger Envision Oak Point plan, which was adopted

BY CONNOR PITTMAN

Two infrastructure projects that should pave the way for future development around the Plano Event Center are nearing completion. Once completed, the infrastructure is expected to help kickstart development of a hotel and retail and

CONTINUED ON 22

Also in this issue Impacts: See the Plano Art Association’s 1,400-square- foot gallery (Pages 89)

Higher Education Edition premium sponsor

INSIDE

Transportation: Learn more about asphalt overlays in east Plano (Page 19)

IMPROVING PLANO

Construction can be disruptive, but the result is a better Plano. Below are major projects underway in the City of Plano over the next six months. (Start and completion dates are estimates.)

PARK RENOVATIONS

INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS

Jack Carter Park Start 8/23 | Completion 1/25 Bob Woodruff Park South Restroom, Dog Park Shade and Drainage Start 9/24 | Completion 9/25 Glen Meadows Park Start 10/24 | Completion 12/25 Enfield Park Start 9/24 | Completion 2/26 Hoblitzelle East Park Start 10/24 | Completion 9/25 Tejas Park Start 2/25 | Completion 2/26 Longhorn Park Start 2/25 | Completion 2/26 Bob Woodruff Park North Start 2/25 | Completion 2/26

Parker Rd at Alma Dr Start 11/23 | Completion 12/24 Legacy Dr at Custer Rd Start 11/23 | Completion 1/25 Legacy Dr at K Ave Start 11/23 | Completion 1/25 18th St at Jupiter Rd Start 11/24 | Completion 8/25 Custer Rd at Ridgeview Dr Start 11/24 | Completion 8/25 Custer Rd at USA Dr Start 11/24 | Completion 8/25 Ohio Dr at Park Blvd Start 11/24 | Completion 8/25 Ventura Dr at Park Blvd Start 11/24 | Completion 8/25

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WATER AND STREET RECONSTRUCTIONS

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SPECIAL PROJECTS

Parker Rd – Country Place Dr to Independence Pkwy Start 8/24 | Completion 12/25 Park Blvd – Preston Rd to East City Limits Start 9/24 | Completion 7/25 15th St – Municipal Ave to Jupiter Rd Start 4/25 | Completion 10/26 Park Blvd – West City Limits to Preston Rd Start 4/24 | Completion 4/25

Collin Creek Mall Culvert and Wastewater Improvements Start 8/21 | Completion 12/24 Plano Event Center Street Improvements Start 2/24 | Completion 2/25

PARKER RD

NEW CONSTRUCTION/EXPANSION

8 1

Fire Station 5 Start 12/23 | Completion 4/25 Municipal Center Council Chambers Start 8/23 | Completion 12/24 Oak Point Parks Maintenance Facility Start 2/25 | Completion 4/26 Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center Start 2/25 | Completion 11/25

PARK BLVD

2 3 4

ASPHALT OVERLAYS Hedgcoxe Rd –

Independence Pkwy to Custer Rd Start 11/24 | Completion 3/25 (no work 12/24-2/25) Midway Rd – Spring Creek Pkwy to Park Blvd Start 4/25 | Completion 5/25

PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH TURNPIKE

For project details, visit Plano.gov/CIP

Listen to the City’s monthly podcast at InsidePlano.com Sign up for weekly news updates from the City of Plano at Plano.gov/News

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McDERMOTT RD

HEDGCOXE RD

LEGACY DR

CHAPARRAL RD

SPRING CREEK PKWY

PARKER RD

PARK BLVD

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18TH ST

15TH ST

14TH ST

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PLANO SOUTH EDITION

T A

C Y RD.

Impacts

5 I Scream Gelato The business website states fresh gelato is made daily with a rotating menu of over 70 flavors. Additional menu items include Belgian waffles, pancakes and an assortment of espresso beverages. • Opening in October • 5880 Hwy. 121, Ste. 102a, Plano • www.iscream-gelato.com 6 Striped Box Boutique This business sells women’s boutique clothing in sizes XS to 3X as well as jewelry, accessories, candles and gifts. Striped Box Boutique has locations in Frisco, Allen and Highland Village where summer clearance sales are underway. • Opening Nov. 2 • 5809 Preston Road, Ste. E-578A, Plano • www.stripedboxboutique.com

SRT TOLL

MCDERMOTT RD.

North Plano

NY DR.

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HEDGCOXE RD.

121

RED RIVER DR.

DEMOCRACY DR.

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WINDHAVEN PKWY.

PARKER RD.

In the news

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7 Hoblitzelle Park East The project will replace aging park features, including installing a new playground and play pit, creating a looped walking path with lighting, installing trees and irrigation, and ensuring ADA accessibility compliance, according to city documents. It will cost $1 million. • 7500 Red River Drive, Plano • www.plano.gov/1526/Hoblitzelle-Park 8 Panda Express The Asian fast casual restaurant is set to open a Plano location. Menu options include rice, chow mein noodles, orange chicken, black pepper steak, honey walnut shrimp, egg rolls and more. Construction will start in November is set to finish in late 2025. • Dallas N. Tollway and Windhaven Parkway • www.pandaexpress.com 9 Piada Italian Street Food Construction on the restaurant is set to start in December and is estimated to finish next May, according to a project listed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Piada serves a variety of customizable pasta dishes, salads and wraps, which are called piadas.

PARK BLVD.

DNT TOLL

15TH ST.

1 3 Gideon Math and Reading Center Gideon offers supplemental education aimed at building confidence in our students through academic mastery, 4 T H ST. PGBT TOLL owner Bonny Pan said in an email. The business’s program helps students catch up, keep up and stay ahead, making it ideal for remedial, foundational work or needed enrichment, Pan added. • Opened in September • 3308 Preston Road, Ste. 300, Plano • www.gideonmathandreading.com/west-plano

Now open

1 Chitos The menu includes chile rellenos, chimichangas, tacos, burritos, fajitas, flan, churros and more. Chitos was formerly located in Frisco. Legacy West Eats is a restaurant co-op that has more than 20 partner restaurants. Online web ordering and touchscreen kiosks are available. • Opened Aug. 22 • 5248 Democracy Drive, Plano • www.chitosmexicanrestauranttx.com 2 Magnolia Soap & Bath Co. The store sells handcrafted, plant based soap and bath products, franchise owners Norm and Lori Hampton said in an email. Lori added that products for people of all ages and dogs. • Opened Sept. 20

Coming soon

4 Seager & Sons The restaurant website states the food menu will feature hand-stretched pizza and fried chicken. • Opening end of October or beginning of November • 5800 Hwy. 121, Ste. 106, Plano • www.seagerandsons.com

• 8604 Preston Road, Ste. 120, Plano • www.mymagnoliasoap.com/plano

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• 9605 Coit Road, Ste. 101, Plano • www.mypiada.com

Worth the trip

Now open

Grandscape European interactive soccer-themed entertainment destination, is set to open its first American location in August 2025 in Grandscape in The Colony. President of TOCA Social Alex Harman said Texas was chosen as the first United States location for a few reasons, including that nine matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. • Opening August 2025 • 5652 Grandscape Blvd., The Colony • www.toca.social.com Hachi Sushi & Omakase The restaurant is now open and serving both modern and traditional Japanese dishes in Frisco, owner Ferry Jatikusuma said. Omakase is a meal that is made up of multiple sushi pieces specially selected by the restaurant’s sushi chef. Diners pick the amount of food they want to eat and the chef selects what goes on their plates. Other dishes available at Hachi Sushi & Omakase include individual sushi rolls and entrees such as honey wasabi tuna steak, shrimp tempura udon, wild mushroom fried rice and more. • Opened Aug. 14 • 9188 Prestmont Place, Ste. 102, Frisco • https://order.toasttab.com/online/ hachi-sushi-omakase

10 Plano Senior High School On Sept. 25, streets in Plano were awash in maroon and white as Plano Senior High student groups proudly displayed their school spirit during the annual homecoming parade. The parade started at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on Roundrock Trail and marched, rolled and walked its way to Plano Senior High where a pep rally was held in the school gym. • 2200 Independence Pkwy, Plano, TX 75075 • www.pisd.edu/pshs 11 Plano West Senior High School On Sept. 30, Plano West Senior High student groups donned their royal blue, black, white and silver team uniforms and spirit wear to participate in the school’s annual homecoming parade. Students employed a variety of modes of transportation, including their feet, boats and rollerblades, as they started on Yeary Drive, traveled south on Willow Bend Drive and ended at Plano West Senior High School, where a pep rally was held in the main gym. • 5601 W. Parker Road, Plano • www.pisd.edu/pwsh

12 Talkin’ Tacos The menu features birria tacos, burritos, rice bowls and more. According to the company’s website, the eatery originated in a Miami suburb and has locations in Florida, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., New York and North Carolina. • Opened Aug. 30 • 2442 Parkwood Blvd., Plano • www.talkintacos.net

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PLANO SOUTH EDITION

Impacts

LEGACYDR.

sides such as dirty fries and bacon. • Opening Nov. 14 • 212 W. Plano Parkway, Plano • www.eggnbird.com

SPRING CREEK PKWY.

COLLIN CREEK MALL RD.

PARKERRD.

6 The Local Good Resale The store will sell high-quality home furnishing and household goods at affordable prices. The Local Good Resale is part of The Local Good Collective, a nonprofit organization created by Chase Oaks Church.

MEADOWCREST DR.

South Plano

PARKBLVD.

2 11

W. PLANO PKWY.

• Opening early 2025 • 2201 K Ave., Plano • www.localgood.org

15THST.

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HIGHEDGE DR.

POWELL LN.

W. PARK BLVD.

7 Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers The eatery serves cooked-to-order steakburgers, all-beef hot dogs, shoestring fries and frozen custard that is freshly churned throughout the day in each restaurant. • Opening in December • 3435 Renner Road, Plano • www.freddys.com 8 Crossroads Diner According to a news release from Rosewood Property, Crossroads Diner will offer a full menu of southern comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. • Opening late October • 645 Powell Lane, Plano • www.facebook.com/ crossroadsdinerdallasbestbreakfastindallas 9 We’re Dough Bakery The eatery’s menu features manoush—a Lebanese flat bread, saaj—a Lebanese thin bread, vegetable plates, kaak—a Lebanese street bread and more. According to the company’s website, the majority of the raw materials arrive via cargo or airplane from Lebanon. • Opening in December • 3421 E. Renner Road, Ste. 107, Plano • www.we-re-dough.com 10 Echo Suites According to the company’s website, suites will feature kitchens with cooktops and full-size refrigerators, free standard WiFi and smart televisions. Dog-friendly suites will be available for an extra fee. The property will also

PGBT TOLL

RENNER RD.

1 9

Now open

Coming soon

1 Art Nails & Spa The new salon is located across from the Methodist Richardson Medical Center on Renner Road. Nguyen said the business has 26 spa chairs and offers manicures, pedicures, eyelash extensions, facials, head spa treatments and more. • Opened Sept. 24 • 3421 E. Renner Road, Ste. 109, Plano • 972-624-9666 2 Uniquely You Learning Center Business co-owner, Maygan O’Donnell said in an email that the center provides an inclusive and caring learning environment for children between the ages 6-to-12 years old with special needs or developmental delays. O’Donnell owns this business with Gina Korczak. • Opened Aug. 13

3 Ashton Woods Homes Construction is underway on 156 homes in Plano. The builder will offer two-story duplex homes and three-story townhomes. The duplexes will have three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. The townhomes will have four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. • Opening TBD • Intersection of Alma Road and Collin Creek Mall Road • www.ashtonwoods.com 4 Brightland Homes Construction is underway on 22 two-story duplex townhomes and 36 three-story townhomes in Collin Creek. Current pricing ranges from the high $400,000s to the high $500,000s. • Opening 2025

• 916 Meadowcrest Drive, Plano • www.brightlandhomes.com

• 2093 W. 15th Street, Ste. 3047, Plano • www.uniquelyyoulearningcenter.org

5 Egg N Bird The restaurant will serve chicken and waffles, chicken sandwiches, chicken bowls, salad and an assortment of

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

have a gym and laundry facilities. • Opening in December • 3333 E. George W. Bush Highway, Plano • https://bit.ly/3ZGMOWm

• 1401 Highedge Dr., Plano • www.planoisd.edu

Now open

Closings

In the news

13 Starbucks Locally-owned Starbucks Plano Icehouse in downtown Plano closed Sept. 27, according to a Facebook post from Downtown Plano Arts District and confirmed by Downtown Plano Manager Michelle Hawkins. • Closed Sept. 27 • 1000 E. 14th St., Plano • www.starbucks.com 14 Urban Nutrition Lounge Urban Nutrition closed its downtown Plano in late September. The company is closing its brick-and-mortar location to focus on a new chapter with its online-based business, according to a Facebook post. The health food restaurant sold shakes as meal options. • Closed Sept. 27 • 1145 14th St., Ste. 2117, Plano • Facebook: Urban Nutrition Lounge

11 Holiday Warehouse The store had previously set a February 17 closing date of the retail store but Communications Director Christine Pedersen said the store will stay open for one more full Christmas season. The business sells holiday, home, and event décor. Store hours are currently from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extended hours are coming soon. Holiday Warehouse, which is 30,000 square feet of retail space, opened in August 2014. • 2819 W. 15th St., Plano • www.holidaywarehouse.com 12 Vines High School Renovations set for the campus will include flooring finishes, new wall finishes for the gym, athletic equipment, bleachers and toilet stall partitions, structural modifications for mech equipment, roof repair and new HVAC controls and RTU’s, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The construction will start next July and finish next September.

15 Plano Art Association The 1,400-square-foot gallery will host the Plano Art Association’s future exhibits, workshops, meetings and special events. The gallery is located in The Shops at Willow Bend, on the second floor

near Crate & Barrel. • Opening Sept. 27 • 6121 W. Park Blvd., Plano • www.planoartassociation.org

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PLANO SOUTH EDITION

Government

Commission tables redevelopment A proposed mixed-use development within Plano’s Legacy Business Park was tabled until the Oct. 21 planning and zoning commission meeting. The overview Capital Commercial Investments, the site’s developer, pitched building open space and a mix of residential and com- mercial uses around the existing JCPenney headquarters.

Plano staff outline plan to update financial policies

As Plano receives less revenue tied to growth, Deputy City Manager Shelli Siemer said city staff will review the city’s financial policies over the next year. The approach Staff will spend the next several months focusing on four areas before discussing ways to implement changes next year, she told Plano City Council during a Sept. 9 preliminary open meeting. “We’re going to get to work in small focus groups to redevelop and redefine [the policies],” Siemer said. Discussions will center around four main fiscal policy areas: city financial policies, a long-range financial model, analytics and accountability, and budgeting process changes, officials said. What’s next? Siemer said city staff will discuss ways to

Establishing a minimum reserve balance for city funds

Reviewing parameters for depreciation of capital assets, such as city vehicles

Creating an analytic dashboard to better understand the budget

Using cost recovery guidelines for city services

SOURCE: CITY OF PLANO/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Area for Proposed Mixed-Use Development

implement the updated policies between January 2025 and June 2025, ahead of adopting the 2025-26 fiscal year budget. Council action may be required to implement some of the recommendations brought forward by staff, she added.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY CONNOR PITTMAN

Willow Bend case heads to commission Dallas-based real estate developer Centen- nial plans to update its redevelopment plan for The Shops at Willow Bend, according to a filing with the city of Plano. The planning and zoning commission granted a waiver to allow a new rezoning request within a two-year period at the Sept. 3 meeting. What you need to know A revised proposal is still making its way through the city’s development process, after which the commission will hear the case. Officials added that changes include the addition of single-family residences to Centennial’s redevelopment plan. The initial redevelopment plan was approved in February.

Planned renovations at Plano Senior High School are moving forward after a preliminary replat for the school’s property garnered approval. The Plano Planning and Zoning Commission approved the filing during a Sept. 16 meeting. In a nutshell The adjustments to the existing plat are part of Plano ISD’s $197.2 million renovation project at Plano Senior High School, which includes upgrades to athletic facilities, increased safety and security, two new gyms, and more. At the meeting, some residents raised concerns about the proximity of pole lighting that could create light pollution within the nearby homes. What else? Construction at Plano Senior High School is expected to last until 2028. Plano Senior High School replat gets city approval

A replat for renovations at Plano Senior High School was approved by the planning and zoning commission.

CONNOR PITTMAN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Project timeline

November 2022 Plano ISD voters approve $1.34B bond package

November 2024 Plano Senior High renovations expected to begin: $197.2M total cost 2028 Estimated completion of renovations

SOURCE: PLANO ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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PLANO SOUTH EDITION

Election

Voter Guide

2024

Dates to know

Where to vote

Oct. 21: First day of early voting Oct. 25: Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) Nov. 1: Last day of early voting Nov. 5: Election Day and the last day to receive ballot by mail (or Nov. 6 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election on Election Day)

Residents in Collin and Denton counties can cast their ballots at any polling location during early voting and on Election Day. Collin County residents can visit www.collincountytx.gov for polling locations, while Denton County residents can visit www.votedenton.gov/elections-office.

Only candidates in contested elections are included. Go to county election websites for information on uncontested races.

KEY: D Democrat G Green L Libertarian R Republican *Incumbent

Texas House of Representatives, District 70 R Steve Kinard D Mihaela Elizabeth Plesa* Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7 R Gina Parker D Nancy Mulder L Mark Ash Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8 R Lee Finley D Chika Anyiam L Stephan Kinsella Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge R David J. Schenck D Holly Taylor Texas Supreme Court, Place 2 R Jimmy Blacklock* D DaSean Jones Texas Supreme Court, Place 4 R John Devine* D Christine Vinh Weems L Matthew Sercely Texas Supreme Court, Place 6 R Jane Bland* D Bonnie Lee Goldstein L J. David Roberson Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals Chief Justice R J.J. Koch D Staci Williams Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals, Place 2 R Jessica Lewis D Robbie Partida-Kipness* Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals, Place 5 R Cynthia Barbare D Erin Nowell*

Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals, Place 9 R Matthew J. Kolodoski D Tina Clinton Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals, Place 10 R Earl Jackson D Amanda Reichek* Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals, Place 11 R Gino Rossini D Kim Cooks Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals, Place 12 R Mike Lee D Ken Molberg* Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals, Place 13

Sample ballot

Federal elections U.S. President R Donald J. Trump D Kamala D. Harris L Chase Oliver

G Jill Stein U.S. Senator R Ted Cruz* D Colin Allred L Ted Brown U.S. House Texas, District 3 R Keith Self* D Sandeep Srivastava U.S. House Texas, District 4 R Pat Fallon* D Simon Cardell State elections Texas Railroad Commission

R Emily Miskel* D Tonya Parker

Local elections Denton County Sheriff

R Tracy Murphree* D Frederick Bishop Denton County Commissioner, Precinct 1 R Ryan Williams* D Tommy Bedford Denton County Constable, Precinct 6 R Richard Bachus* D Ransom Funches Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector R Scott Grigg D Stephanie Cooksey Collin County Constable, Precinct 3 R Sammy Knapp* D Cesar Avila

R Christi Craddick* D Katherine Culbert L Hawk Dunlap Texas Senate, District 8 R Angela Paxton* D Rachel Mello Texas State Board of Education, District 12 R Pam Little* D George King Texas House of Representatives, District 67 R Jeff Leach* D Makala L. Washington

SOURCES: COLLIN COUNTY, DENTON COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY & CONNOR PITTMAN

KEY: D Democrat R Republican

Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector

Why are you running for Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector? The tax office collects over $4.5 billion annually and Collin County needs a Tax Assessor-Collector with the skills and experience to ensure taxpayer money is protected. My decades of experience with multibillion-dollar companies and skillset gives me the unique ability to properly protect taxpayer money and ensure every cent is reconciled.

What are the biggest challenges facing the tax assessor-collector’s office? Collin County is one of the fastest growing counties in the country and growth comes with many challenges. With over a million vehicles to register, the challenge will be to make sure that all the needs of the taxpayers are taken care of without sacrificing superior customer service.

Scott Grigg Occupation & experience: 35 years audit/accounting/finance experience, six years with county tax office, former finance manager www.electscottgrigg.com 469-834-3588 Stephanie Cooksey Occupation & experience: Starting two trucking companies, founding member of an AI Tech company. Underwriter and small business owner www.Cooksey4texans.com

To improve the quality of life for all residents by ensuring a more efficient, transparent, and equitable system that benefits all. I aim to keep Collin County thriving and well-prepared by modernizing the tax office, supporting property tax relief, safeguarding taxpayer information, and being a watchdog in county government.

A couple of the biggest challenges are making sure we keep up with continued growth of the county and safeguarding taxpayer information.

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

Learn More

PLANO SOUTH EDITION

A Seriously Different University

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS utdallas.edu/different

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education Higher Education Guide

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

2024

Welcome to Community Impact’s annual Higher Education Edition. This guide features the latest updates and resources about local higher education institutions in your community. All the stories were written by our team of local journalists. In this year’s edition, our team of reporters bring you stories about the local higher education institutions.

Premium sponsor:

Tracy Ruckel General Manager truckel@ communityimpact.com

The University of Texas at Dallas www.utdallas.edu 972-883-2111 The Future Demands Different

What's inside

Check out a listing of higher education options in North Texas (Page 16-17)

Collin College adds a trio of new course offerings for the fall semester (Page 18)

For relevant news and daily updates, subscribe to our free email newsletter!

Collin College sees growth in cybersecurity degree programs

The school now has over 2,000 students enrolled with a declared major in cybersecurity, Smith said. About the program The cybersecurity industry has various focuses, Smith said, such as information assurance, aimed at protecting personal data and health infor- mation. Other focus areas include penetration testing, ethical hacking, digital forensics and risk management. “Technology is playing more of a role in every- one’s lives, whether it’s the car you drive or the appliances you use at home, they’re all connected to the network somehow, someway,” Smith said. “Protecting that data that [the] technology uses and relies upon is crucial, and we need trained professionals that understand that technology.”

Collin College saw an over 20% increase in enrollment for its cybersecurity programs from the 2022-23 academic year to the 2023-24, according to college data. Damien Smith, director of the college’s cyberse- curity program, says the increase is tied to growth in the cybersecurity industry, as well as business growth in the region. “Dallas-Fort Worth, [the] North Texas area, is growing massively, exponentially, and there’s definitely some opportunities for people with certain skills in cybersecurity to flourish in that environment,” Smith said. The details Collin College began offering a dedicated cybersecurity program in fall 2008 and 18 stu- dents enrolled the first semester. The Bachelor of Applied Technology in cybersecurity was intro- duced in spring 2020, with 24 enrolling the first semester.

Degree growth

Students enrolled

Bachelor's of Applied Technology in Cybersecurity 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 24 67 195 323 444

Associate of Applied Science in Information Systems Cybersecurity

538

2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24

790

1,203

1,489

1,735

SOURCE: COLLIN COLLEGE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

PLANO SOUTH EDITION

Education

College guide

2024

Amberton University — Frisco College type: two-year, four-year Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees Admission rate: n/a • 3880 Parkwood Blvd., Bldg. 7, Frisco • www.amberton.edu

Texas Christian University College type: four-year Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees Admission rate: 43% • 2800 S. University Drive, Fort Worth • www.tcu.edu Texas Wesleyan University College type: four-year Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees Admission rate: 58% • 1201 Wesleyan St., Fort Worth • www.txwes.edu Texas Woman’s University College type: four-year Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, certificates Admission rate: 93.6%

Admission rate: 100% • Locations in Coppell, Dallas, Garland, Irving, Mesquite, Pleasant Grove and Richardson • www.dallascollege.edu North Central Texas College College type: two-year Levels of degrees offered: associate degrees Admission rate: 100% • Locations in Bowie, Corinth, Denton, Flower Mound, Gainesville and Graham • www.nctc.edu Tarrant County College College type: two-year Levels of degrees offered: associate degrees Admission rate: open-admission institution (100%) • Locations in Arlington, Fort Worth and Hurst • www.tccd.edu

Collin College College type: two-year, four-year

Levels of degrees offered: associate degrees, some bachelor’s degrees, noncredit and certificate programs Admission rate: 100% • Locations in Allen, Celina, Farmersville, Frisco, McKinney and Plano • www.collin.edu

Dallas College College type: two-year, four-year

Levels of degrees offered: associate degrees, some bachelor’s degrees, noncredit and certificate programs

From physics and literature to education and art , Collin College offers more than 200 bachelor’s degree , associate degree , and certificate options. Visit the Plano Campus to learn more. Registration begins Oct. 24. Apply now!

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

• 304 Administration Drive, Denton • www.twu.edu

University of North Texas College type: four-year

Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees and certificate programs Admission rate: 72% (whole school) • 1155 Union Circle, Denton • www.unt.edu University of North Texas at Frisco College type: four-year Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees Admission rate: 72% (whole school) • 12995 Preston Road, Frisco • www.frisco.unt.edu University of Texas at Arlington College type: four-year Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees Admission rate: 81% • 701 S. Nedderman Drive, Arlington • www.uta.edu This list is not comprehensive.

University of Texas at Dallas College type: four-year Levels of degrees offered: bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees Admission rate: 65%

• 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson • www.utdallas.edu

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PLANO SOUTH EDITION

Education

Transportation

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

BY CONNOR PITTMAN

New waterline project to start this fall Construction of a $7.7 million project along segments of Park Boulevard to replace waterlines under the roadway is expected to begin this September in Plano. What you need to know The project includes two phases: one spanning from Preston Road to US 75, and a second that will start at the eastern city limits and finish at US 75.

Collin College adds new course offerings Collin College announced three new continuing education program offerings on Aug. 30, including medical massage therapy, welding courses taught in Spanish and an online product management course. The new programs are enrolling students for the fall semester, according to the release. The details The new programs aim to offer career advancement and personal growth. The medical massage therapy program specifically looks to provide “in-demand training for a fast-growing field,” the release stated. The welding program, now offered in Span- ish, includes hands-on experience as well as education on safe welding practices, welding equipment, and common and advanced welding techniques.

An asphalt overlay project including three main roadways in eastern Plano should be finished this fall, according to city officials. Work crews have switched from construction along Parker Road after completing the installa- tion of a water line to Plano Parkway so they can finish applying an asphalt overlay. After work is completed on Plano Parkway, crews will apply an overlay on remaining sections of Parker Road. The overview The cost of the asphalt overlays for the project is slightly over $6 million, per city officials. Funding comes from the Community Investment Program, which is funded mainly through the city’s bond sales. Once work crews finish applying asphalt over- lays on the main lanes of Plano Parkway, crews will return to East Parker Road. The overlay along East Plano asphalt project to wrap up by fall

Ongoing Completed City boundaries

Collin College historic tax rate

0% change

$0.9

PARKER RD.

$.08

Collin College officials approved a tax rate that is $0.081220 per $100 valuation at an Aug. 27 meeting.

$0.08122

$0.08196

$.07 $0

LOS RIOS BLVD.

Fiscal years

SOURCE: COLLIN COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

College tax rate stays flat for 3rd straight year Collin County residents can expect to pay the same property tax rate to Collin College for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The gist The college’s board of trustees unanimously approved a tax rate of $0.081220 per $100

valuation during an Aug. 27 board meeting. This is the third year in a row the tax rate did not change, according to Collin County documents. The tax rate is broken down into two pieces: maintenance and operations, which covers oper- ational expenses, and interest in sinking, which pays for principal and interest on debts. The M&O rate is $0.0750 and the I&S rate is $0.00622 per $100 valuation. The board also unanimously approved the col- lege’s FY 2024-25 budget at the meeting, outlining just over $400 million in revenue and nearly $399 million in expenses.

PLANO PKWY.

PGBT TOLL

2 Phase 2

1 Phase 1

Los Rios Boulevard was completed in September. Looking ahead There are plans to then move over to roadways in western portions of Plano, including segments of West Parker Road and Hedgcoxe Road next spring.

LOS RIOS BLVD.

PARK BLVD.

PGBT TOLL

ALLEN 1839 N Central Expressway (972) 908-3488 EAST PLANO 3404 N Central Expressway (972) 423-6688

PLANO 5930 West Park Blvd (972) 250-0500 PLANO NORTH 5420 State Hwy 121 (469) 687-2581

COIT ROAD 1453 Coit Rd (972) 867-2821

Real estate

The number of homes sold increased year over year in August in every Plano ZIP code except 75024. Homes for sale in every ZIP code in the city averaged more time on the market in 2024 than 2023. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

August 2023

August 2024

-3.03%

-7.69%

-6.52%

-5.41%

+3.7%

-17.78%

75074

75075

75093

75023

75024

75025

SRT TOLL

DNT TOLL

Median home sales price

75025

75024

August

2023

2024

75023

$395,000 $484,000 $711,963 $399,500 $700,000 $577,000

$438,925 $532,500 $721,000 $475,000 $625,500 $585,000

75074

75093

75074

75075

PGBT TOLL

75093

75023

75024

Plano

75025

August

2023

2024

291

387

New listings

Average days on market +31.03% +26.32%

227 211

Closed sales

+8.7%

+5%

+10%

+29.41%

Homes under contract

199 190

MARKET DATA COMPILED BY COLLIN COUNTY AREA REALTORS • WWW.CCAR.NET

75074

75075

75093

75023

75024

75025

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Events

BY KAREN CHANEY

fashion items, handcrafted jewelry, homemade treats and more. • Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. • Free (admission) • My Possibilities, 3601 Mapleshade Lane, Plano • www.paolaruizproductions.com Plano Food + Wine Festival at Legacy West This event will feature a wide selection of award- winning wines and cuisine from 20 local restaurants. Guests can purchase food and wine-tasting passes. • Nov. 2, 12-6 p.m. • $45-$125 • Legacy West, 5908 Headquarters Drive, Plano • www.planofoodandwinefestival.com Plano Flags of Honor Rotary Club of Plano East will display a field of over 1,000 3′ x 5′ American flags to commemorate Veterans’ Day. This will be a visual expression of gratitude to those who serve, present and past, living and deceased. Taps will be played at dusk. • Nov. 9-16, various times • Free • Red Tail Pavilion at Oak Point Event Field, 2801 E.

October

Rest In Plano (RIP) This Halloween-themed festival in Downtown Plano Arts District will include entertainment, music, food, drink and more. • Oct. 26, 5-10:30 p.m. • Free • McCall Plaza, 998 E. 15th St., Plano • www.plano.gov/1043/rest-in-plano-fest Plano Bridal Show October 2024 Over 110 wedding businesses will be onsite. The event will include a fashion show, door prizes and giveaways, and will spotlight new wedding trends. • Oct. 27, 12-5 p.m. • $6-$12 (ages 2 and under free) • Plano Event Center, 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano • www.bridalshowsinc.com

Hall-O-Ween Party Legacy Hall’s annual Hall-O-Ween Party will include a live performance by Queen Legacy and a costume contest. • Oct. 26, 7 p.m. • $10 • Legacy Food Hall, 7800 Windrose Ave., Plano • www.legacyfoodhall.com

November

Shopping Days Vendor Market – Christmas Edition Over 100 local vendors will be selling Christmas gifts,

Spring Creek Parkway, Plano • www.planoflagsofhonor.com

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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

PLANO SOUTH EDITION

Laying the groundwork From the cover

The impact

What you need to know

There have been plans to include a hotel since the event center opened in 1990, Jarrell said. With a hotel, the center has the potential to accom- modate out-of-town conferences and events that require nearby lodging, and may have previously passed over the city. “Even though we’re very busy here, it would change our business model and allow us to con- tribute more to the hotel occupancy tax, which is what helps pay for [the event center],” Jarrell said. The city is still searching for the right hotel brand to occupy space near the event center. It has contracted Hunden Partners, a Chicago-based firm specializing in destination real estate develop- ment, to analyze the site and provide a recommen- dation for an operator. “[We’ll] have a new opportunity to attract some customers that we really never have had before because of adding those resources,” Muns said.

large, beautiful mature trees, but they did limit the ability for the area to be utilized for events,” Del Turco said. In addition to city-funded projects, the city is pursuing funding from the state during the 2025 legislative session that could be used to offset development costs. Muns said the city is seeking approval as a qualified hotel project, which requires a hotel on city-owned land and provides extra access to sales tax, mixed-beverage tax and the hotel occupancy tax. With the additional public funding, Muns said a hotel development could be more desirable in the area. Jarrell said he expects that the improvements should make the site easier to build a hotel in front of the event center once the core infrastructure is in place, which is expected early next year. “All they will have to do is just come build a hotel,” Jarrell said.

The city has allocated around $7.75 million for the street and courtyard projects within the Community Investment Program, an annual allocation for infrastructure projects which typically utilizes bond funding. Josh McNeil, a city engineer and project manager for the street construction, said the new street grid will alleviate congestion, provide on-site parking and allow access for future development at the site. McNeil added that along with improvements to the street grid, there are plans to provide new landscaping and install underground utilities. Improvements to the 1.5-acre courtyard at the Plano Event Center include a new fireplace, two bistro areas that will sell alcohol, internet connectivity and audiovisual equipment, said Elizabeth Del Turco, landscape architect supervisor and project manager for courtyard project. “The former configuration had some very

Plano Event Center use

Parking New roads Plano Event Center projects

DES MOINES DR.

Sporting event and wedding

Other

Concert, festival and trade show Social

1 Courtyard renovation

Plano Event Center

Meeting Conference and off-site company events

June 2023- November 2024

$3.2M

2023

2 Street grid

February 2024- February 2025

$4.55M

2019

152

SOURCE: CITY OF PLANO/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY CONNOR PITTMAN

Breaking it down

Looking ahead

Thompson said. “Hotel occupancy tax helps those entities become more visible and more viable for attract- ing people to the destination,” Thompson said. “They’re spending money [at] the restaurants and gas stations and so forth, and driving sales tax.”

Visit Plano Executive Director Mark Thompson said the hotel market remains strong in the city, with more hotels expected in east Plano, near the event center, and in western portions of the city. Hotel occupancy tax is 13%, with the city taking 7% and the state 6%. Hotel occupancy tax funds help pay for local grant programs and events,

Parks and Recreation Director Ron Smith said the event center improvements lay the foundation for further development. “Once we have a hotel adjacent to that event center, those events that would prefer to be in Plano that need on-site, overnight accommodation will have a really great place,” Smith said.

Plano hotel average nightly rate

Plano HOT tax revenue Fiscal year

Late 2024: Anticipated opening of new event center courtyard

Calendar year

+94.7% increase

$120

$15M

$113.03

Early 2025: Completion of street grid in front of the event center

$105.46

Pre-pandemic rate

$10M

$100

Late 2027: Earliest potential opening of a hotel near the event center

$5M

$80

Late 2029: Potential expansion of the event center, based on need

$76.55

SOURCE: CITY OF PLANO/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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BASIS Benbrook 8901 Vista Way Benbrook, TX 75024

BASIS Richardson 2200 N Greenville Ave Richardson, TX 75082

BASIS Plano 4501 Hedgcoxe Rd. Plano, TX 76126

Opening 2025

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